Savoy Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. sabauda)
1 sources cited · Verified
The short answer
- Plant
- Early March to early August
- Site
- 6+ hours of sun, soil pH 6–8
- Biggest risk
- Blackleg
In the UK, savoy cabbages go in the ground early March to early August.
Savoy cabbages (Brassica oleracea var. sabauda) — biennial grown as an annual.
Timing is the decision that matters most in the UK: there are 4 separate regional sowing windows, ranging from early March in Southern England to early March in Scotland.
Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural and university-extension sources — see References.
Regional Planting Calendar
| Region | Sow |
|---|---|
| Southern England | early March to early August |
| Midlands | early March to early August |
| Northern England | early March to early August |
| Scotland | early March to early August |
Southern England - detail & sources
The only source gives a two-window US planting pattern (late summer transplant for fall/winter harvest, early spring for a second crop) rather than UK-specific dates, so a spring-through-summer window spanning both approaches is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the source does not support.
Midlands - detail & sources
The only source gives a two-window US planting pattern (late summer transplant for fall/winter harvest, early spring for a second crop) rather than UK-specific dates, so a spring-through-summer window spanning both approaches is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the source does not support.
Northern England - detail & sources
The only source gives a two-window US planting pattern (late summer transplant for fall/winter harvest, early spring for a second crop) rather than UK-specific dates, so a spring-through-summer window spanning both approaches is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the source does not support.
Scotland - detail & sources
The only source gives a two-window US planting pattern (late summer transplant for fall/winter harvest, early spring for a second crop) rather than UK-specific dates, so a spring-through-summer window spanning both approaches is applied across all four sub-regions rather than inventing a north/south gradient the source does not support.
Quick Facts
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6 - 8 |
| Sunlight | 6-6 hours direct sun |
| Soil texture | clay, loam or sand, high organic matter (NC State Extension) |
| Drainage | good drainage |
| Lifecycle | biennial grown as an annual |
| Edible parts | leaves, head |
At a Glance
Soil & Growing Conditions
Water: moist, consistently (NC State Extension)
Soil pH range
Span reflects genuine variation between the cited authorities, not a single agreed figure.
Growth Stages
| Stage | BBCH | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sowing | 0 | Start seeds indoors; transplant in late summer for fall/winter harvest, or in early spring for a second crop (NC State Extension). |
| Transplanting | 3 | Space 12 inches to 3 feet apart depending on cultivar; full sun, moist well-drained soil high in organic matter (NC State Extension). |
| Head formation | 4 | Blistered, crinkled leaves develop into a looser, less densely packed head than smooth-leaved cabbage (NC State Extension). |
| Harvest | 8 | Ready when heads feel heavy for their size and colour is bright green (NC State Extension). |
Harvest & Storage
When to pick: Ready when heads feel heavy for their size and the colour is bright green (NC State Extension).
Diseases
Pests
Savoy Cabbage, Transplant to Frosted Head
References
-
Full sun (6+ hours direct). Soil: clay, loam or sand, high organic matter, neutral pH 6.0-8.0, good drainage with moist conditions maintained. Height 1-2ft, width 1-2ft, spacing 12in to 3ft apart depending on cultivar. Seeds can be started indoors and transplanted in late summer for fall/winter harvest; early spring planting yields a second crop. Ready to harvest when heads feel heavy for their size and colour is bright green. Grown as an annual (technically biennial). Medium growth rate and maintenance. More tender and subtly sweet than other cabbages, with crinkled leaf appearance and less densely packed heads. Pests: slugs, cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, caterpillars, cutworms, nematodes, cabbage aphids. Diseases: leaf spot, blackleg, black rot, yellows, root maggots.
1 independent sources are cited for this crop. Where they disagree - soil pH is the clearest case - every figure is preserved rather than averaged into false precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I sow savoy cabbages in the UK?
In Southern England, from early March. In Scotland, wait until early March. Treat these as a guide rather than a fixed date — the governing rule is to sow only once frost risk has passed and temperatures are reliably warm enough.
When do I sow savoy cabbages?
Sow early March to early August.
What soil pH do savoy cabbages need?
A pH of about 6–8. That span reflects genuine variation between the authorities we cite rather than a single agreed figure — the References section lists each source's exact range.
What problems affect savoy cabbages?
Our data links 2 diseases and 2 pests to this crop. See the sections above for each one and how to manage it.
Plan next season before the problems start
Most of the advice on this page comes down to timing and spacing — sowing at the right moment, rotating beds, and giving plants enough airflow. The UK Garden Planner lays your plot out month by month so those decisions are already made before the season starts.
Get the UK Garden Planner →Instant PDF download · Written for UK growing conditions
Last verified 2026-08-29
Where To Go From Here
Take this crop from reading into a written plan for your own beds.
Plan the next step
Use the printable SoilCommander planner for your region to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts and weekly garden tasks.